Controller - Private Equity

Northbound Executive Search; New York (NY); On-site; USD 165,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

Northbound Executive Search is partnering with a well-known private equity firm in downtown New York to hire a senior Controller on a consulting basis. The role reports to the CFO and focuses on quarterly closes, fund accounting, and investor reporting.

You will oversee audits, capital calls, waterfall distributions, and regulatory filings, while strengthening internal controls and coordinating with tax advisors. The ideal candidate holds a CPA and 8+ years in alternative investments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA license.
• 8+ years of accounting experience in an alternative investments / asset management practice.
• Hands-on experience building and reviewing distribution waterfall models.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience managing and developing staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee quarterly and annual close for all funds.
• Review fund financial statements, partners' capital account statements, and investor reporting.
• Manage capital calls and distributions, and own the distribution waterfall.
• Review management fee, fund expense, and partnership expense allocations for accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee quarterly portfolio valuation process in partnership with the deal team.
• Own accounting, budgeting, and cash management for the management company and GP entities
• Prepare the annual management company budget and monthly variance reporting
• Lead annual audits for funds and the management company; serve as primary contact for external auditors
• Coordinate with tax advisors on K-1 preparation, tax estimates, and structuring
• Support regulatory filings, including Form PF, Form ADV, and FBAR, alongside compliance
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, policies, and procedures

Skills

CPA

Fund accounting

Waterfall modeling

GAAP

Excel

Staff management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA license

Tools

Excel

Job description

Our client, a well-known PE firm located in downtown, NY, is looking to hire a Controller on a consultant basis. This individual will work closely with the CFO, running quarterly close, managing fund administrators and auditors, and delivering accurate, timely reporting to investors and the investment team. The role suits a technically strong accountant who wants broad exposure in a growing firm.

Responsibilities

• Oversee quarterly and annual close for all funds.
• Review fund financial statements, partners' capital account statements, and investor reporting.
• Manage capital calls and distributions, and own the distribution waterfall.
• Review management fee, fund expense, and partnership expense allocations for accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee quarterly portfolio valuation process in partnership with the deal team.
• Own accounting, budgeting, and cash management for the management company and GP entities
• Prepare the annual management company budget and monthly variance reporting
• Lead annual audits for funds and the management company; serve as primary contact for external auditors
• Coordinate with tax advisors on K-1 preparation, tax estimates, and structuring
• Support regulatory filings, including Form PF, Form ADV, and FBAR, alongside compliance
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, policies, and procedures

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• CPA license
• 8+ years of accounting experience, in an alternative investments / asset management practice
• Hands-on experience building and reviewing distribution waterfall models
• Advanced Excel skills
• Experience managing and developing staff